Pressure-sensitive labels continue to thrive

The pressure-sensitive labels market achieved growth of 3.9 percent year-on-year in 2016, greater growth than that of the label market as a whole, and still commands 40 percent market share, according to the latest findings from AWA Alexander Watson Associates.

Further findings in the report see Asia now the leading region for pressure-sensitive label demand, surpassing the developed markets of Europe and North America. The format’s largest end-use market segment, globally, is food labeling, taking 27 percent of 2016 volumes, mostly used for primary product labels.

Corey M Reardon, AWA Alexander Watson Associates president and CEO, added: ‘Variable information print (VIP) labels are a strong growth area for the versatile pressure-sensitive label, in line with the increasing requirements of today’s transportation and logistics activities, in terms not only of track and trace, and stock and inventory management, but also for product authentication, such as RFID-enabled labels.

‘What is more, online consumer purchasing activities are continuing to drive VIP label developments and usage. Pressure-sensitive labels are also extremely adaptable in terms of their available application technologies, which can vary from hand-held label printers for individual packs to mass serialization on the label press.’

In relation to the overall product decoration market, Reardon commented that, while glue applied labels continue to enjoy ‘substantial usage globally’, new sleeving technologies are taking a larger share of the market and continue to grow, while, ‘in-mold labeling remains a niche but growing market.

‘Direct-to-container digital print is an area to watch, and flexible packaging has the capability to revolutionize the whole product packaging market.

‘Labelexpo Europe 2017 will be a fascinating opportunity to review the status quo.’

The upcoming AWA Label Release Liner Industry Seminar and AWA Shrink Sleeve European Seminar coincide with Labelexpo Europe 2017. Find out more about these events in the L&L Events diary.